Karyological studies of some species of the genus Vicia L. (Leguminosae) in Turkey

In this study, 11 Vicia taxa naturally distributed in Turkey were karyologically studied. Chromosome numbers, karyotypes and idiograms of five taxa that belong to section Cracca of the genus Vicia (Vicia cracca subsp. gerardii, V. cracca subsp. atroviolacea, V. cracca subsp. stenophylla, V. canescens subsp. canescens, V. palaestina) and six taxa that belong to section Vicia (Vicia michauxii var. stenophylla, V. pannonica var. pannonica, V. hybrida, Vicia sativa subsp. nigra var. nigra, Vicia sativa subsp. nigra var. segetalis, Vicia sativa subsp. incisa var. cordata) were done. The chromosome numbers of these taxa were found as 2n = 10, 12, 14, 24. The chromosome numbers and karyotype analysis of five of these were reported for the first time and chromosome morphology of two taxa was identified for the first time. Also chromosome numbers of six taxa were verified. These results will contribute to the taxonomy of the genus Vicia which has a high diversity in Turkey. © 2012 Dipartimento di Biologia Evoluzionistica.